OBJECTIFIED

Last week in class, we watched the documentary Objectified, directed by Gary Hustwit.  From the very beginning of the film, it was clear that form and content were closely related.  Throughout the entire documentary, the featured objects and designs in the film were emphasized more than any of the people who voiced their ideas.  Often the person speaking would be filmed for a few seconds, and their name flashed across the screen.  But soon afterwards, the film switched to zoomed in footage of the objects being discussed, while the speaker's voice continued in the background.  The documentary's format reflected its subject matter because the film successfully highlighted the importance of the objects being talked about, thus supporting the title, Objectified.

Within the substance of the film, many designed objects were shown.  Each description of an object became an isolated example of how form and content intersect in regards to the way people interact with the design of that specific object.  One object that stood out to me was the Japanese toothpick.  It was designed so that you could break off the top of it and use that as a way to rest it on the table without it touching the dirty surface.  Most toothpicks are simply wooden sticks, but the detachable part of this Japanese toothpick, its unique "form," matches up with the performance of that toothpick, or its "content."

In yet another example from the film, form and content interacted in a different way in regards to an individual and his or her vehicle.  According to the film, we choose cars for ourselves that meet certain needs we have based on our own personalities.  Therefore, the car's aesthetic and performance qualities become extensions of who we are, almost giving the object a human quality.  We personalize our cars with bumper stickers and other accessories so that the appearance of the car and the meaning behind the personal touches we add to it convey something about who we are as individuals to the rest of society.  Instead of just looking at it as a machine to transport ourselves, cars become almost like a second home for their owners.  This personal touch in vehicles is different from other objects discussed in the film, which we tend to take for granted.  We don't realize that so many basic things have been designed to be as simple and easy to use as possible, and we certainly don't have a strong emotional attachment to them.